The baby boomers who made motorcycles cool are also dying on them at a higher rate than other motorcycle riders, according to a new report from AAA.

The organization, analyzing federal crash data, says Baby Boomers make up a disproportionate number of motorcycle fatalities. The mortality rate for riders who are 60 or older is more than four times the overall increase in motorcycle deaths for 2016.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that older drivers were more likely to sustain life-threatening or fatal injuries in a crash than younger riders,

Between 1998 and 2007, the number of injuries for motorcycle riders older than 60 increased from 2,000 to 8,000, AAA says. In the same period, the number of injuries rose 150 percent for riders who are 50 to 59 years old.

15 Responses to “The Baby Boomers Generation Has A Much higher Risk Of Fatalities Riding A Motorcycle, AAA Says”

I think legal prescription meds have a mesmerizing effect and can slow a riders reactions, especially when negotiating curves. It’s easy to drift and drift into oncoming traffic. High-sided would be the descriptive term.

No surprises here . As we age our reflexes and reaction times slow down regardless of how much we may delude ourselves along with our muscle mass etc so more at risk we become . Add to that a distinct sense of over confidence , substance use/abuse while riding and far too many of us still trying to hoon like a 17 year old and you’ve got a toxic combination and an accident just waiting to happen . All of which could be mitigated if not eliminated if the majority of us would start riding our age instead of our shoe size

This is study is incomplete. For instance it doesn’t say how much experience these 60+ year olds have. This increased risk of fatality would make sense if these are people who never rode a bike before and just started once they retired or only rode a bike for a little while when they were young then picked it up again once retired. It’s an unfortunate fact of life our reflexes and possibly our sense of balance decreases as we go into our senior years. I’ve seen Vietnam veterans riding in tight packs just a few feet from each other on the Freeways at 75 mph like they were marching on foot. One tiny wrong move from someone up front could take down the entire pack; especially with these seniors over 60 yo.

Most experienced riders over 60 yo would never take that kind of unnecessary risk. Experience matters – a lot.

I am 63 and stopped drinking over almost 4 years ago. Lost 6 of my dearest friends on HDs over the years and everyone of them was due to drinking and riding to fast for conditions! So sad! Combine the alcohol and meds…and you are an impaired rider that I choose not to ride with.

With this said, exercise a little and walk. Check all tire pressures, fluids, lights, cables, mirrors, etc…AND stretch some before backing out of the garage. Always be aware of your surroundings.

without a reference to the total number of riders in that age group the
percentage increase figure is meaningless, typical scare tactics reporting
where you look at the increase on one total but neglect to say that in the same
time the number of riders in the age group let say increased by 50% for example.

This data is meaningless without normalizing for passenger miles ridden. Total injuries and deaths may have gone up, but how many miles were ridden at each time series point? Automobile deaths in the US are about 1.1 per million miles. This varies considerably by state, region and demographic of the drivers.

These are only FACTS provided by AAA. they are certainly not the authority of anything.
This is just stating of the people who they insure, they have noticed 150% injury increase.
Number of people and level of experience is totally irrelevant.
Not a scare tactic, just raw facts.

I turned 65 yesterday and have sold my Ducatis that were way too much for my reaction time and eyesight. I’m getting into handier bikes that keep up with traffic but don’t do 2nd gear wheelies.
I’m into moderation these days. I crashed last summer due to an allergic reaction to a bee sting that dropped my blood pressure enough to pass out before I could pull over. Could have happened when I was 30 but it reminded me how slowly bones heal and how hard a curb can be. My helmet was trashed.
Statistics are arguable, but physics can be very convincing.

Boomers can afford the ridiculously overpowered 160-200 hp motorcycles available today. 65-year old reflexes and a top-of-the-line Ducati/GSX-R/Fireblade/Ninja is a lethal combination. Even adventure bikes are heading towards 150hp. Why? Who can really put down 150 horses on dirt?

When I was a youngster starting to ride, if your bike could do the “ton”, 100 miles per hour, you were one of the elite. Today’s superbikes can do that in FIRST GEAR. I’m sorry, but we need to take a step back and ask if this is really a healthy situation. My surname is not Rossi and I’m not 25 any more . Just because I can afford this bike doesn’t mean that it is a wise decision.

And on the cruiser side, it is a weight issue. An 800-pound motorcycle can have the best frame geometry and suspension in the world, but it is still an 800-pound motorcycle. If it falls on you, it’s going to break something.

I’m 57. I changed my 100-hp 1800cc cruiser for a 65hp, 850 cc retro (Triumph Bonneville, last of the air-cooled models) and I couldn’t be happier.

Agree with Texx. The AAA incomplete statistics are likely nothing other than a way to increase rates on older riders (lions share of riders I’ll bet). Living near a state park many riders go by my house. in June (usually during the Isle of Man TT’s) several younger riders rocket regularly thru the park and by my house at 150+ late nights and in wee hours of the morning. It’s not a matter of if but when they will collide with a deer.

Majority of riders I see go by are much older and cruising at posted speeds. Increasing number of riders in their “Boomer” category and distraction may be factors.

Lets not forget that the rate of distracted drivers is steadily increasing. I`m on my way to 80 and many of my fellow senior citizens are tweeting & texting like young kids..WTF. The younger motorcycle riders simply have a stronger body…. the impact with the A-hole that backed out of their driveway without looking..is less destructive on a youngster. Lastly…I would rather buy it on my bike than blowing spit bubbles in bed.